Star Wars' future is being shaped by a children's cartoon.

Dave Filoni has been promoted to creative director at Lucasfilm, and the article argues that Star Wars: The Clone Wars — a late-2000s animated series — serves as the narrative blueprint for much of the franchise's recent film and television storytelling.

Kathleen Kennedy is preparing to step away from Lucasfilm after fourteen years leading the company. Dave Filoni has been promoted to creative director at Lucasfilm. The change has focused attention on Star Wars: The Clone Wars, a late-2000s animated series. The article presents that series as a foundational influence on many recent Star Wars films and television projects. What we know: - Kathleen Kennedy is preparing to step away after fourteen years at Lucasfilm. - Dave Filoni was elevated to the role of creative director and will oversee the franchise's creative direction. - The Clone Wars, which began in 2008, is described as having mapped narrative foundations for modern Star Wars storytelling. - The series introduced characters like Ahsoka Tano and expanded Anakin Skywalker's arc in ways later projects reference. - Elements and storylines from The Clone Wars have been carried into live-action series such as The Mandalorian and Ahsoka. Summary: Dave Filoni's promotion formalizes an existing creative shift that places The Clone Wars at the center of modern Star Wars narrative choices. The series' focus on character arcs and serialized storytelling is presented as a reference point for recent and ongoing projects. Undetermined at this time.